Divorce "the only option" for Heather Mills

Heather Mills has been "devastated" by divorce proceedings and thoroughly regrets the break-up with Sir Paul McCartney, according to a friend of the former model.

It seems certain that Heather will emerge from the high-profile divorce case with a sizeable payout, but her friend has told the News of The World that money is the last thing she wanted.

"She said she'd been devastated by the divorce and has become an emotional wreck. Heather doesn't care about the huge load of money coming her way," the friend insisted.

"She'd much rather be happily married than rich and miserable. She said she would gladly give back every penny for another shot at happiness with Paul. She loved being married to him and it was the biggest regret of her life that things became so awful between them that divorce was the only option."

The divorce has dominated newspaper headlines for months and both parties have complained of media intrusion at a sensitive time. Both have also made it clear that they wish to remain civil, not least because of their daughter Beatrice.

Heather Mills married Sir Paul in 2002, four years after Paul's first wife passed away, and they announced their separation in May last year.